Break the Chain Pub Crawl hopes to shake up Sunday business from Kirtland to Grand River

Even before the groundhog seeks its shadow, thoughts around here turn to the Break the Chain Pub Crawl, an effort among independent bar-restaurants that jolts folks out of their Sunday cabin-fever lethargy.

It begins Sunday at Kirtland City Tavern, 10015 Chillicothe Road, where it originated in 2008. That's where those participating get cards to be punched on subsequent Sundays at three other places once they've ordered a food item and beverage. Each place has daylong specials, but pub crawlers may order what they want. Those who complete the crawl and visit all four establishments on the designated Sunday get a $25 gift certificate to one of them.

Beal's Pickles and Pints in Willoughby, open less than a year, will have Feb. 17 at its Pub Crawl day. It's at 36200 Euclid Ave., and the folks there are eager for it to be discovered by new customers.

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"We're ready," said Head Chef Hank Bayless, who has a pair of $8 specials and $2.50 Miller Lites for that day. He's been told he can expect about 400 people or more between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. and has added extra staff for that Sunday. He's confident they'll deliver from order to table in five minutes for those ordering barbecued pig wings, coleslaw and tater tots or lobster Alfredo.

"We're experts with pig wings, which are on our menu," he said, describing them as made from the shin bone of a pig and weighing 3 to 4 ounces each. "We've served as many as 100 people in an hour, so I think we can handle the Pub Crawl crowd."

The kitchen also makes 80 to 100 pounds of its namesake pickles every week and serves them in many zany menu items, including ice cream with grape-flavored pickles, pickle soup and peanut butter and pickle sandwiches.

Brennan's Fish House in Grand River is the Feb. 24 Pub Crawl destination. It will serve from 1 to 8 p.m. and offers its perch sandwiches with fries and slaw for $9.95 along with $2 Miller Lites. The crawl concludes on March 3 at Willoughby Brewing Co., where pulled pork tacos, nacho dips with chips and buffalo chicken egg rolls will be offered for $2 each. Hours there are noon to 9 p.m.

"We began the Crawl as a promotion to stimulate Sunday business among independent restaurant owners during the usually slow winter season," explained Mike Hutter at Kirtland City Tavern.

His place will serve its half-pound hamburger for $6 and Miller Lite pints for $2 during the crawl.

In its early years, Hutter pounded the pavement to find bars who wanted to be part of it, but now in its sixth year, it's become so popular that area bars contact him so they can be included.

"And we start get calls from folks who don't want to miss it right after New Year each year," he said.